Tag Archives: #Bike

Its August and there is so much to do in the Charente now the holidays are upon us – here is our pick of local events where you will be able to find us when we are not delivering bikes!

Festival de Confolens Danses et Musiques du Monde – Confolens

The vibrant town of Confolens comes alive in August for its annual International Folklore Festival… now in its 60th year!

It’s known all over the world, and brings together artistes from around the globe, with over 300,000 visitors descending on this attractive town on the banks of the Charente river.

Coupe d’Europe de Montgolfières – Mainfonds, Angouleme & Jonzac

The 20th European Cup of Hot Air Balloons takes place between 2nd and 6th August with a huge array of events.

There will be over 70 hot air balloons and a festival of aerial events with the Flying Bulls aerobatic team performing for the first time plus helicopters, parachuting, fireworks and a special Charentais dinner.

This is a wonderful occasion and spectacle so make sure to go along if you can!

The main day is Sunday 6th August at Mainfonds, Aubeville but there are other events in Angouleme on 4th August and Jonzac on Saturday 5th August. Check out the full programme on the official event website.

Arts & Crafts Exposition – Chalais

Between 21st July and 20th August, the 38th exposition of arts and crafts is being held in the beautiful cloisters in Chalais.

There are around 23 exhibitors both demonstrating their crafts and selling their wares – we will be heading there on Tuesday 15th August when there will be live demonstrations…Canoe Expedition – Aubeterre sur Dronne

The picturesque town of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is a great place for canoeing – you can hire canoes or kayaks during the day or join in on one of the many summer events such as the evening canoe expedition on the lovely river Dronne between 20.30 – 23.00…

Brocante – Chateau de la Mercerie

There are hundreds of brocantes across the Charente in August!

Our favorite is at the beautiful Chateau de la Mercerie on 5th August where there is a huge Brocante starting at 6am – and with up to 300 stalls there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Refreshments available throughout the day, rounding off with a dinner at 20.00 and dancing.

Fete du Moulin – Salles Lavalette

Near Salles Lavalette, is the Fete du Moulin Sartier on 5th August, including free guided tours of the flour mill and the working oil mill.

Evening entertainment from 6pm: market of local producers with a bar, barbecue and outdoor dancing later.Night Markets – Charente Wide

Throughout nearly every town in the Charente, you’ll be able to find wonderful night markets with stalls, entertainment and a big meal… usually based around the village square where live music is played!

Explore the Charente by bike…

Whatever your age or ability, it is our aim at Bike Hire Direct Charente to make hiring bikes as easy as possible for you!

There is no need to have the extra hassle of transporting your own bikes… let us know where you are staying and we will deliver bikes directly to your holiday accommodation ready for you to enjoy on your holiday!

It’s not uncommon when I meet my customers and drop off their bikes that they ask me for recommendations on cycling routes.

The Charente Maritime is extremely bike friendly and where-ever you’re based I can usually recommend an area or a route.

However, it often surprises me how many haven’t heard of the La Velodyssee routes.

If you’re staying on, or near, any part of the coastline in the Charente Maritime and you want a decent bike route you’re in luck!

Eurovelo 1…

EuroVelo 1 is the longest of the EuroVelo bike routes, linking North Cape in Norway, the northernmost point of continental Europe (it’s actually in the Arctic Circle!) to the south of Portugal.

In total 1200 kilometers of the Eurovelo 1 route runs through France….

La Velodyssee…

La Velodyssee is the French section of Eurovelo 1 and passes an exceptional number of prime tourist sites, whether natural, historical or cultural…

Source: https://www.velodyssey.com

The Velodyssey cycle route has been designed to be a destination in itself and not just a bike route.

All parts of the cycleway are way-marked with standardised signage, making it easy to find accommodation for cyclists, and bike hire and repair services along the way.

Here are my favourite parts in the Charente Maritime (La Rochelle to Royan)…

Source: https://www.velodyssey.com

La Rochelle

A Beautiful city with all the network links you might need, as well as an abundance of hotels, campsites or other accommodation.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you’re here you need to hop over the bridge to the Ile de Re, it’s well worth it. (I’ve covered the islands in some of my other blogs so have a look for some photos and maps etc.)

There is an extensive network of bike friendly paths around the city.

Rochefort

Another beautiful, bustling city, full of history and great architecture.

The Eurovelo 1 stays near the river and circles around the town. However, I fully recommend you plan one of your overnight stops here to soak up the atmosphere and charm of the centre ville and port.

The Hermione is just one of many great historic sights the town offers.

Marennes

The area around Marennes is calm, quiet and beautiful. It doesn’t feel as touristy, it’s more about the wildlife, natural beauty and seafood here.

The oyster fields are a maze of paths and tracks to explore.

If you’ve got the time then it’s here that you can cross the bridge onto the Il D’Oleron. (again I’ve covered this in other blogs).

Cote Sauvage

Crossing another bridge from the Marennes area will bring to the top end of the above stretch of beach. Ronce les Bains down to La Palmyre, the cyclepath through pine forests next to this immense beach is a joy.

I always seem to feel happier after spending a few hours cycling around this part.

Royan

An abundance of beaches, bars and bike routes… Royan is a newish town that always has loads going on and is a popular destination for the French themselves to holiday in.

It’s here that, if you wish, you can catch the ferry to cross the estuary.

Cycling the Velodyssee…

Cycling in the Charente Maritime isn’t just about the Velodyssee but it certainly is a great route with something for all abilities!

I’ll be happy to discuss any routes or areas if you’re considering cycling as part of your holiday. I can also tailor the bikes to suit your specifications, ie road tyres, panniers etc.

The Roger Lapebie cycle path runs for 55 glorious kilometres from Bordeaux city centre to the beautiful town of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.

Once out of the city, the path follows and old, disused railway line that has been developed to create one of the best cycle paths you are likely to find anywhere in France. Smooth tarmac lines the entire path with gorgeous views all the way.

The path passes through several small towns along the route, with many of the original station houses still being used to this day, but now as cafes, guest houses or restaurants.

The route is suitable for all cycling abilities and ages, the route is safe and has no serious climbs or descents so a lot of ground can be covered quickly.

Here’s our guide from our day cycling the route…

We began at the mirror d’eau in Bordeaux city centre. This is one of our favourite landmarks and is a very easy spot to jump on the route from the river front (after stopping to take some pictures of course).

From here stand facing the river and head right towards the Pont de Pierre bridge.

You will then be heading over the bridge to the other side of the river. Safe cycle paths line both sides of the bridge so take your time and enjoy the view.

Once over the bridge you will start to pick up very clear and well laid out signs leading you all the way to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.

Once over the bridge turn right immediately, you will now stay on this road next to the river for around 9km’s. The road is flat and has a cycle path all the way, making it very easy to cycle along. The road eventually turns to the left and away from the river. You are now very close to the start of the old railway line. Go straight across at the roundabout, the cycle path is then about 200 metres down this road on your right.

Now you can really start to enjoy yourself and all the cycle path has to offer.
I made my first quick stop after around 20km’s in the small town of Lignan de Bordeaux.

As you cycle into town you are met with the fabulous sight of St Eulalia’s Church.

If you need further persuasion to stop here, the old station house in Lignan de Bordeaux has been turned into a café. Perfect for a quick re charge and break off the saddle.

Continuing on, you will head through the town of Sadriac before reaching Creon. This is a large town and a very popular resting point along the route with plenty of shops and cafes.

I however decided to carry on to the next town of La Sauve as I was keen to see the famous abbey I had heard about.

La Sauve abbey is a UESCO world heritage site and dates back to 1079. It certainly didn’t disappoint.

You can find out more about the abbey here – http://www.abbaye-la-sauve-majeure.fr/en/
La Sauve also provides a good place to stop for one last refresh before the push to the finish. The town has a few shops including a lovely bakery.

Setting off again, you will have less than 30km to the finish at Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. I decided to go for it and ride hard to the finish.

Along the way you are spoilt with amazing views of the famous countryside of the Entre-Duex-Mers.

It will seem like hardly any time has passed before you see Sauveterre-de-Guyenne come into view on your left.

Free wheel leisurely down the last few hundred metres until the path comes to an end just outside the centre of the town.

Head up through the arch way to the town square where you will be able to get a well earned drink!

Congratulations on a great ride! From here you have so many great options. Turnaround and head back along the Roger Lapebie cycle path to Bordeaux or for those of you wanting to go further, you can head 15km down to La Reole and pick up the Canal Du Midi all the way down to Toulouse.

Our option of choice would be to spend the night in Sauveterre-de-Guyanne then head north in the morning to Saint Emilion. There is no cycle path, but the 33km journey can be done on quiet roads through small villages.

Explore the Bordeaux area by bike…

Why not cycle this route!

At Bike Hire Direct we offer bike delivery and pick up direct to your holiday accommodation free of charge right across Bordeaux and the Gironde.

We can even give you the option to have your bikes dropped off in one location and picked up in another… this gives you all the flexibility you need when planning your perfect cycling holiday.

For more information on how to hire bikes from Bike Hire Direct, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit the ‘Cycling in Gironde’ page of the Bike Hire Direct website to find out more great places to enjoy a bike ride in the area.

The Dordogne last hosted the Tour de France in 2015 with a departure and an arrival in Bergerac – so we are thrilled that it returns for THREE days of world class cycling in 2017!

Read on for our guide to an action packed three days…

Mon 10th July : rest day in Perigueux

This is your chance to meet the cyclists and glean a few tips off them !!!

There is a full program of cycling entertainment planned throughout the day as well as food, kids activities, comedy shows and music…. you can find the full schedule on the official Perigueux site.

Tues 11 July: 10th stage Perigueux to Bergerac

Stage 10 of The Tour is 178 kilometres (about 110 miles) and passes through some of the nicest spots of the Dordogne.

Below we’ve highlighted some of the top spots with approximate passing times… remember to get there at least an hour and a half before though to collect the goodies from the promotional trailers that travel ahead!

Lascaux caves (km 42.5, passing through about 2:20pm)
The infamous Lascaux caves and the new Lascaux IV prehistoric centre. Don’t forget to pop into Montignac for an ice-cream from a traditional “glacier”!

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac (km 66.5, passing through about 2:50pm)
This beautiful riverside village features ancient Troglodyte settlements built into the rock… why not try a spot of canoeing down the river whilst you watch Froome and co speed past in the sweltering heat!

Sarlat-la-Canéda (km 86, passing through 3 :20pm)
This charming town is known for its food! Unfortunately, it will be too late for lunch! But that mustn’t stop you from tasting some of the duck delicacies on offer… most of the shops will be more than happy to give you a tasting!

Domme (km 100.5, passage through 3 :35pm)
The perfect opportunity to chill with a glass of rosé and admire one of the most beautiful villages in France.

La Roque-Gageac (km 106.5, passage through 3 :45pm)
My all-time favorite… with the houses are literally built into the rock, this beautiful quaint French village has undeniable charm!

Beynac (km 111, passage through 3:50pm)
Home to the magical Château Beynac… perched on top of a hill, overlooking the Dordogne valley, you can almost see the archers defending the castle. An absolute must-do, Beynac appeals to all ages, but be warned – it’s a steep walk up to the entrance!

Lalinde (km 151.5, passage through about 4 :40pm)
This little town is flanked on one side by the Dordogne, on the other by the canal. Insider’s tip – just after the bridge on the Sarlat road, to the right, there is a little parking bay with a footpath leading up to a beautiful church, the “Chapelle Saint Front”. Little known to tourists, it offers a superb view of the town – and the “peloton”!

Bergerac (Arrival from 5 :15pm)
Why not try a trip on the local “Gabarres” or visit the town on the “petit train” whilst waiting for the Tour to arrive? The coloured flags on this picture mark the entrance to the wine museum and tasting shop – be careful not to drink too much of the sweet Monbazillac, as it goes down far too well in the afternoon!

* LOCALS TIP * The restaurants will most probably be full to the brims on Tuesday evening… most of the nearby towns such as Mouleydier and Campsegret have lovely eateries which will probably be less busy – although I’m sure the ambiance in Bergerac will be electric !

Weds 12th July: 11th stage Eymet to Pau

The Tour ends it stay in the Dordogne with a departure from the lovely bastide town of Eymet as it makes it way to Pau and the Pyrenees.

This is a lovely opportunity to meander through the small streets of the pretty town of Eymet… then take the opportunity to get some of the riders signatures before enjoying the wide range of entertainment planned including delicious food and live music!

Tour de Dordogne…

Why not try your own ‘Tour de Dordogne’… for more information on cycling in the Dordogne take a look at the local ‘Cycling Routes in Dordogne‘…. Bike Hire Direct can deliver bikes direct to to you across the area ready for you to enjoy!

For more information on hiring bikes in the Dordogne visit www.bikehiredirect.com or email Cedric on dordogne@bikehiredirect.com.

For centuries southwest France was occupied by the forces of Rome. I’m guilty of taking a lot of it for-granted as I drive or cycle around Charente Maritime.

My interest was sparked properly when I realized one of my usual cycle routes went past an open and useable roman road which I’ll get to later. Firstly, I’d like to show you a few points of interest I found, and I know I’m only scratching the surface.

This, for example is a massive stone column known as la Fanal d’Ebéon standing beside the D129 near Saint-Même (17), south of Saint Jean d’Angély. I’ve probably driven past in a hundred times and not appreciated it was built in the 3rd century AD! It was originally surrounded by a rectangular wall and was perhaps a funerary monument. Its state of disrepair threatens its survival.

Tower Pirelonge, in Saint-Romain-de-Benet, is a Roman relic that is believed to be a monument to the dead unburied, and is perhaps a closer reflection of how the Fanal d’Ebeon would have looked.

The “Arc de Germanicus” in Saintes is quite famous and might be well known to some of you, but did you know, it was built originally not only to honour Tiberius, but also to mark the end of a Roman road built between Lyon and Saintes! Route finder tells me on todays’ roads that’s 702km!

Digging a little deeper I found these pictures depicting how it might have looked…

The Roman Amphitheatre in Saintes is a 1st century AD construction built around 40AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius. It’s still impressive now but, how impressive would it have been to see it like this…

The thermal baths of Jonzac were only recently discovered, less than 30 years ago. The Soenna spring’s water comes out at 62 ° C. It’s a hugely popular tourist destination now.

The Romans had figured it out though! They built a Spa and a temple in Barzan on the Gironde Estuary centurys ago.

I could probably keep doing this on hundreds of different monuments, churches, gardens, aquaducts, spa’s and sculptures that are literally dotted around the Charente Maritime, but the guide books have all the information you’ll need.

Back to Cycling!

Leaving from the Chateau in Jonzac 17500, a 35km route through the vineyards and countryside is a loop I do fairly regularly and enjoy.

There are many, many things for children and families to do in and around Bordeaux including trampoline parks, zoos and museums, however on this occasion we decided to head into the centre with our two children aged 4 and 2 armed only with their bikes, a picnic and a few Euros for afternoon ice-creams…

We prefer to park our car on the opposite side of the river and then enjoy the ride/stroll across the bridge into the city centre. On this side is the towering sculpture by Xavier Veilhan, situated in Stalingrad Place. Our kids loved this – a huge blue lion!

Crossing the bridge into the centre is always fun – my children love a bridge! Better still if they can cycle over it in the designated cycle path.

If you fancy a tram ride into town, there’s a tram station behind the Lion sculpture that will take you over the bridge.

Turning right at the end of the bridge and it’s a short walk to the ‘Miroir d’Eau’.

This is the most photographed site in the city so we made sure to get there early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Having this all to ourselves certainly made it a great place to ride bikes and enjoy getting lost in the mist sprays. And when the mirror effect comes in this truly is magical; a unique meeting of old and new worlds. You can see why this really draws the crowds and has been listed as a contemporary World Heritage site by Unesco.

By the way, I would recommend packing spare clothes or swimsuits for the kids (we didn’t, so my children continued the rest of the day in their pants)!

After a couple of hours here we continued on and enjoyed the play parks dotted along the riverside.

The promenade is perfectly wide enough for walkers, cyclists, joggers, rollerbladers, pushchairs – you name it! This part of Bordeaux is certainly enjoyed by people in a variety of ways.

If you fancy stopping off for a drink or snack there’s plenty of space to enjoy your picnic whether it’s under the trees or in the small gardens.

And if you haven’t brought a picnic there are plenty of little cafés along the path to eat in – simply park up your bikes and take your time – after all this is France!

Towards the end of the walkway by the river, just before you hit all the restaurants, there’s a huge skate park which both our kids enjoyed thoroughly!

On this weekend there were plenty of younger children having a go on scooters and bikes as well as the more experienced skaters which were also great to watch!

We ended our trip by walking up through the city and into the Jardin Public.

A huge, beautiful park, hidden amongst the city centre, with fantastic play parks for all ages, pond (with ducks) and plenty of cycling space.

We spent the rest of the afternoon here playing football and then got a crepe on the way home!

Bordeaux is completely ‘geared up’ (!!) for exploring by bike and Gareth at Bike Hire Direct can deliver and collect bikes anywhere in the Gironde region. If you’re staying in Bordeaux he can deliver bikes to your accommodation or anywhere in the city, and then also collect them at the end of your hire.

Come and discover what this beautiful city has to offer!

We have a full range of bikes and accessories to accommodate the whole family including adult and kids’ bikes, children’s chariots, tag-a-longs and baby seats for the youngest members…… If you need bikes, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Gareth at gironde@bikehiredirect.com or take a look at the Bike Hire Direct website.

I love this time of the year in the Charente – there is an undeniable frisson when cafes start to put tables/chairs out on their terraces, trees and vines leaf up and the swallows return. There is also so much to do and see in the Charente over the warmer months.

If you’re after a bit of culture, head for the museum in Angouleme. Situated at the back of the stunning cathedral, whilst not a large museum, it has a fascinating display of archaeological exhibits and artefacts from around the world – quite a discovery in the heart of Angouleme old town.

For culture of a different nature, head to Cognac and take a private guided tour of Cognac House and Distillery. Choose from a couple of hours to a full day… you will find a tour for you whether you are a liquor traditionalist or even just an enthusiast. The Remy Martin buildings are stunning, in particular the hall with the 19th century large casks and beautiful grounds. Check out the Cocktail Creation Tour if you get a chance and enjoy those fabulous hors d’oeuvres to accompany your new cocktail creations!

If you’re into churches or cathedrals, well you’re spoilt for choice in the Charente. Angouleme hosts Cathedrale St Pierre, which is a great example of Romanesque architecture style. The facade of the cathedral is a real masterpiece and it’s a dominant piece of architecture in the city.

In the south of the Charente, in the pretty town of Aubeterre, you can find the extraordinary Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean. Whilst this doesn’t look much from the outside, it’s an impressively huge subterranean church, hand-hewn out of a rock hillside in the 12th century. It’s also the largest underground church in the whole of Europe.

Nestled between other buildings in one of Cognac’s many pedestrian thoroughfares, stands Eglise Saint-Leger – a real hidden gem. Entry is free to this Catholic church which dates back to the 12th Century and the architecture is particularly interesting with both Romanesque and Gothic styles. Reminiscent of a smaller scale Notre dame from the outside, the interior is positively sumptuous.

And then there are chateaux a go-go !! So many to choose from – the medieval chateau in pretty Villebois-Lavalette, restored by two brothers who spent their life and fortune on the initial restoration and now with the help of the local community and 100 volunteers are completing the work.

The majestic Chateau de La Rochefoucauld can trace their family ancestry back into the Scottish Royal family and have been prominent in all stages of French history since the 16th century. They even have clothes you and your children can dress up in to look the part. The chateau is truly magnificent and also caters really well for kids.

In the north of the Charente, Chateau de Verteuil in the beautiful town of Verteuil-sur-Charente is also a must. The chateau and town are both very photogenic and part of the tour allows access into the old Chateau’s kitchens which is a fascinating in-sight. Perfect French and English spoken by the guides, wonderful river walks and a fantastic award-winning local restaurant Cafe Portebleue to finish off the whole experience.

And finally………..the food and drink – oh là là. What a treat in the whole of France and the Charente certainly doesn’t let the side down. Weekly markets galore, extra night markets over summer which are tremendous fun and have a real carnival atmosphere. Wild boar spit roasts, long al fresco lunches, huge trays of moules cooked over smoking vine leaves, plat du jours, 7 course extravangas, cheese, cheese and more cheese!! Brunch is even available now at the Mercure in Angouleme during high season!

The Charente Office de Tourismes all now have excellent web sites and Facebook/Twitter accounts advertising all the upcoming events so be sure to get connected to make the most out of your trip to the Charente this summer.

Bonnes Vacances !

Explore the Charente by bike…

Whatever your age or ability, it is our aim at Bike Hire Direct Charente to make hiring bikes as easy as possible for you!

There is no need to have the extra hassle of transporting your own bikes… let us know where you are staying and we will deliver bikes directly to your holiday accommodation ready for you to enjoy on your holiday!

Today in the Charente Maritime it’s a beautiful bright sunny day but it’s also -4 degrees!

So naturally my mind is thinking about the summer and the days when it’s going to be 40 degrees, and we can spend every waking moment in our shorts and flip flops on the beach… in between delivering bikes of course!

We have got to know our area quite well in the time we’ve spent here, so the plan for 2017 is to start exploring our neighbouring departments in more detail.

It’s no effort at all for us to drive South to Bordeaux, St Emilion and the Arcachon Bay.

East into the wine and Cognac vineyards of the Charente and the Dordogne or North into the Vendee and Deux Sevres departments.

The Charente Maritime is a great base with good travel links to start exploring all of the south west coast of France.

However, there is so much going on here and so much still to see, that we may not stray too far!

As usual there’s lots ideas for great days out, festivals, concerts, Markets and Brocantes, things to do wherever you are based if you look on the tourism pages. Here are some useful links…

My girls always enjoy the kite festival at Chatelaillon-Plage. It’s moved to April this year (15th to the 17th), but it’s a great day out with lots to see and do on a lovely beach.

Last year we got the family annual membership to the zoo at La Palmyre, which was fantastic and well used.

This year we have signed up for the same at the Aquarium in La Rochelle and have already enjoyed a great day out in this beautiful city and are looking forward to many more.

Looking back on 2016, I think most agree it was a year (in the news) not to dwell on… so, we hope you had a fantastic Christmas and New Year season and like us you are looking forward to a bright 2017.

We look forward to welcoming you in 2016 and helping you with all your bike hire needs.

Still it got me thinking – what would I like from Father Christmas this year? What should be under a cycling enthusiasts tree this year? Here’s a few gift ideas I’ve found on the internet that I’m hoping my wife will take the hint on!

To get me going in the mornings I will need…

For fun during the days on the great beaches in the Charente Maritime I’m going to need…a FATBIKE!

When I get home in the evening I will need…

and wine…

… and maybe some more wine!

I’m pretty certain I will get a tasteful top …

And I shall be very Grateful as always! Thank you sweetheart x

As I drive around now I’m seeing a lot of signs for local Christmas markets in the Charente Maritime. Each town and village seems to have one. Here’s a link to a useful website that lists them all… https://noel.org/17-Charente-Maritime

My girls love staying up late and seeing the lights…

If you are looking for something to do over the Christmas holidays we think there is nothing better than a bike ride to burn off those extra mince pies and festive treats!